Stone Soup, the weekly community-based group will continue its Sunday gatherings through May 17. Each week, organizers provide a bowl of soup for those in need, or those who simply wish to join neighbors for the evening, at the Truckee Donner Parks and Recreation Districts Community Center, 10046 Church St., from 4:30 to 6 p.m.The idea came out of a Slow Food National Convention, where Truckee-ite Deb Ryan learned of an innovative idea to make organic food projects sustainable. An donation envelope would be left on each tray to help offset the higher cost of organic food.Then I thought of a community soup night, and the story of Stone Soup, a story of self-sufficiency, said Ryan. It takes a community, and each of us really is the community.Stone Soup was facilitated by many organizations, with a strong foundation in Slow Food Lake Tahoe and Project MANA. It is driven by the energy, commitment and volunteer participation of the Truckee community, individuals, businesses, clubs, chefs and service organizations. Soup will be prepared and served by a different organization each week.Were [Martis Camp] a successful development, and this is a great way to give back to our town, said Kelly Heapy, architecture assistant of Martis Camp. Heapy read about Stone Soup online at sierrasun.com, contacted Penny Fink to volunteer and got motivated to make 35 gallons of minestrone with 13 Martis Camp volunteers. Stone Soup is a fantastic team-building experience and a unique way to meet and work with other people in the community, said Heapy.Penny Fink provided a lot of input about sponsoring the event and cooking the soup, then Heapy created a schedule for volunteers and worked with Hilary Scott, Martis Camps events manager to gather the equipment and food. Produce Plus supplied the veggies, and dessert was donated by the Martis Camp supplier, Sysco. The biggest challenge? Cooking the volume of soup required and getting the balance of flavors just right. Heapy recommends getting the soup on early, so ingredients have time to simmer and blend.We also hope people who have volunteered will return on other Sundays, and bring a friend or two who might need a free meal, Heapy added.For information, contact Project MANAs Truckee Director Kaili Sanchez at 582-4079.All are welcome, if you can donate, please do, if you cant, please eat!

This is such a wonderful event! We hope the word gets out to more people in the community that a free, healthy meal is available on Sundays the more the merrier! The soup is great and the atmosphere is really fun, especially with the live music. Kelly Heapy, Martis Camp